 |
This entry refers to a departed business — a business that has closed or left town. Information here is mostly for historical reference. |
The location is currently private property.
| Location |
| 22700 Old Santa Cruz Highway, Los Gatos, CA, 95033 |
| Hours |
| varied |
| Phone |
| (408) — |
| Website |
| www.chateauliberte.com |
| Owner(s) |
| ? |
| Established |
| As Redwood Chateau in 1964; Chateau Regis in 1967, then Chateau Liberté 1971 -closed circa 1979. |
| Payment Method |
| Cash. |
The Chateau Liberté was a legendary rock & roll bar in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The following piece of history is added by Pearl Regis Owner/Operator of the lease at the Chateau along with her family. Prior to that name (Chateau Liberte) , it was called the Redwood Chateau 1965 - 1967 and then Chateau Regis (1967 - 1971) This is the period the Doobie Brothers,Quick Silver,Elvin Bishop,WildWood and other legendary rock groups got their start or played there. It was not a "biker" bar until Jim Richardson bought the lease in 1971 and called it Chateau Liberté (which means "House of Freedom"). The bar was a magical, rockin'-sockin' fun place to go and was patronized by the local Mountain Folk, Cowboys and equestrians, Professional people such as Airline Pilots, Doctors, Lawyers, Heavy Construction Equipment Operators, Artists, Scientists, Musicians, Poets, Families, "hippies" and other eclectic groups. It had been restored to replicate the structure circa 1920. The swimming pool was left in place, and could have been viewed as folks sat at the log-hewn bar.
Location: Although it was in Santa Clara County, it was in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Old Santa Cruz Highway (in Santa Clara County). Many people assume it was in Santa Cruz County. Some people think it was "Just off Highway Nine" (WAY OFF!) Some remember, "Off Summit Road." (Close.)
The actual site is now private property reachable by a fenced private road off Old Santa Cruz Highway. This is the same road that was used for access to the Chateau previously . The property has been privately owned and well taken care of since 1996. Big Creek Lumber Company of Davenport, California did perform a "Select Timber Harvest" prior to current ownership .
Early History: It started as a stagecoach stop in the mid 19th century, well before Highway 17 or even the Old Santa Cruz Highway was built. In the 20th century it was an inn and restaurant owned by the Samuels family in the 50's. From about 1947 to the mid 60's it was just a restaurant. It was one of the nicer restaurants in the area. It was near the town called Holy City, off of the Old Santa Cruz highway. For just $3.00 per month any local family could use the pool and hike the property. They had small horse rodeos and "movie nights" . It went through at least two owners in the 1960's. It became Chateau Liberté in 1971. Many references have it with "e" instead of "é" (called e acute). For a web search use a standard "e" in the spelling. From the late 60's through the 1970's it was known as a music hangout where anything could happen.
Music: Many bands from the Bay Area played here including Hot Tuna, NRPS, Kingfish, Jerry Garcia, Merl Saunders, Deep Purple, Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks, and members of Moby Grape. The cover of the first Doobie Brothers album was photographed in the bar. As typical of many legends, rumors put everyone there. Tina Turner — maybe. Janis Joplin — no way. (Excuse me here says Pearl - While Janis never entertained there, she visited the Chateau with an entourage thinking to purchase the property. The old Dr. Moore out of San Francisco, who owned the place at the time wouldn't hear of it....he didn't like her.) Tower of Power played outdoors on a stage in the Redwood trees in 1972 with Blue Mountain. Rumor was that 300 tickets were sold and well over 3,000 people showed up. Cars were parallel parked on Highway 17 . This was also possibly one of the reasons "The Chateau" would soon reach it's "Rock & Roll" end ! Photo's at http://www.korgnorthwest.com/Blue_mountain.htm
According to an old flier, on October 11, 1974 Paul Humphrey debuted with Garcia-Saunders at the Chateau Liberté in the Santa Cruz mountains. Admission at the door was $4, advance tickets were $3. Garcia-Sanders was Merl Saunders and Jerry Garcia.
Chateau Liberté was associated with bikers. First the Gypsy Jokers and later Hells Angels. The bikers also worked there. This helped feed rumors of a "biker city" or "biker camp" in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The cottages of the early inn were in use by workers and renters. It wouldn't have been too easy to live there with shows that linger on into the wee hours of the night and motorcycles coming and going often.
There were many rumors of Chateau Liberté about drugs, crime, music, fun, and danger. They were mostly true.
Related Links
Comments
2010-09-08 10:17:58 My name is Dave Adams and I was co-owner of the Chateau with Fred Cramer from 72 until we closed the place up in 74. What a trip it is to read all the rumors and lore of people's wonderful(and not so wonderful) life changing experiences at the Chateau. I will attest to the wild and awesome times that took place there in the 70's. I can be reached [email protected]. I am alive and well, contrary to rumors and folk lore. ps. Fred's doin ok too. —69.62.194.151
Update 12.20.2021 - My father Dave Adams passed away in 2018, owned the bar with Jim Richardson from 72'-75', If anyone has any old photos or memories, I would love to see/hear them. [email protected]
2010-09-20 10:12:00 I spent many an evening in 1975 [year corrected by author on 1/19/2012] shooting pool at the place. There was one time when I helped a gal bartender there to close up the place. I even carried the day's proceeds in a cardboard box up the hillside to her cabin and then spent the night there. Yeah, there were some wild times at the place. Once, when I had parked directly in front of the door, I had to wash a bunch of blood off my car the next morning. I had driven the car home to San Jose that way and left it parked in front of my house until late in the morning. Nobody said anything ...
(anonymous) —69.181.110.244
2010-12-23 14:45:24 That lady bartender's name was Charlotte Childers, "Charlie". The light show guy was "Captain Whizzo", Michael Elzea. The elder statesman was Paul von Ahnen. The owner/mgr was "Diamond Jim" Richardson. Trudy von Ahnen and "Candy Jo" ran the kitchen and tended bar. Want more? I lived there from '71 thru closing in '74. // Tall Bruce. —99.62.137.222
2010-12-23 14:47:23 .. and I OWNED those two crooked pool tables! // Tall B. —99.62.137.222
2010-12-23 14:48:26 That lady bartender's name was Charlotte Childers, "Charlie". The light show guy was "Captain Whizzo", Michael Elzea. The elder statesman was Paul von Ahnen. The owner/mgr was "Diamond Jim" Richardson. Trudy von Ahnen and "Candy Jo" ran the kitchen and tended bar. Want more? I lived ther from '71 thru closing in '74. // Tall Bruce. —99.62.137.222 —— i saw hot tuna there , and t-bone walker , its all a dream
2011-01-11 22:27:07 It was actually very easy to live there. There was really not much need to get up early and if there was a need you just stayed up. Great years great friends great music and truly magnificent sex. "those were the days my friend we thought they'd never end, those were the days, oh yes, those were the days"...........Gearhart —72.173.132.12
2011-02-15 06:15:03 My ex and I spent a few evenings at the Chateau in 72' and 73', to this day I remember all the wild times we had. I remember the old road you had to drive on to get there, the big ole tree in the middle of the road. The 1st band I can remember seeing was the Doobie Brothers, we were all sitting on the floor, it was awesome. Then we would go out and pile into someone's van and share a toke and make a few friends. It was an amazing place and I never found another place like it. Carole, Oklahoma —68.237.131.148
2011-04-08 14:15:56 Thanks, Tall Bruce — yeah, now I remember the name "Charlie". A lot of the other memories are a bit hazy, but what I do recall was interesting! Oh, the bloody car was my souped-up white '69 Beetle — the blood really stood out. —69.181.110.244
2011-07-02 22:55:50 I first saw Hot Tuna in 1969 at the Chateau and I was 16. Marty Balin was the lead singer with Jorma, Jack and Joey. What a wild place! Saw so may bands till I was 22 or 23. I hooked up with my first husband at the Chateau being brought to the Doobie Brothers show by John Hartman the drummer. Shows would have Captain Whizzo with his light show, naked women dancing, and the Hell's Angels running the door. Shows would last to 3 or 4 in the morning. I wish I still had pics. Sorry to all those that missed this place. —97.124.39.237
2011-07-16 18:42:01 I grew up in the Santa Cruz Mts on Bear Creek Road. The Samuels who owned our house (actually a real log cabin) own the land on BC Rd on the right side from the freeway to the bridge, they also owned the Chateau-It was called the Chateau Bouisse (think I spelled it right). [Likely "boutisse" which is an architecture term. —Harlan] There used to be a billboard on the land overlooking the freeway (which was owned by the Jesuits-Alma Colege was a few miles up BC RD) with the Chateau Bouisse sign. My mother was a waitress when it was a resort restuarant. I think it was actuall a good restuarant at that time. They also had cabins they rented. I can remember playing in them and my older sister cleaned them in the summer. My older brother was a busboy there. We moved down to town around 1958-5th grade. I think we lived there from 1952 to 58. So that kinda gives one a time frame when the Samuels owned it. When the Chateau opened again with the rock and roll venue it was intersting going back and seeing it. It seemed larger then. I read the'comments and I had forgetten about that big tree. I can recall seeing Hot Tuna (inf fact one of their albums has some cuts recorded at the Chateau) and The Doobie Bros. there-sure we saw more but can't recall. Remember the daytime festivals-think that's when David Adams and Fred ran it. Fred if you read this what ever happened to the Hoye sisters? Great memories-and why does the Trudy von Ahnen sound so dang familiar. RonK Los Gatos Class of 66
—98.200.161.113
2011-08-05 09:28:31 Hi, I am Steve A. and I lived in the big house at the bottom of the meadow back when Dave and Fred ran the place. All you guys who were there do any of you have any pictures of the place you would like to share? I am retired in New Mexico and would like to add to the ol scrap book. Love to hear from any of you guys at [email protected] —63.227.107.172
2011-08-06 22:00:34 I was still in high school, when we went up there. I graduated in 1972. I totally remember the huge bouncer at the door being the kindest person on the planet that night. Of course, we were just young long haired hippie chicks out and about and cute, I think? but it was amazing for us to go there. The vibe was good every single time. I moved away from the bay area to Morro Bay a just about the year it closed. I loved that place and the time period, when music was amazing and people really did come together on all different levels. —12.72.206.170
2011-08-27 15:25:47 About that closing date of Chateau Liberté — it had to be in the second half of 1975, as I had to keep fairly accurate data about my past, and I used to frequent the place during a "time-out" in my marriage that lasted from April Fools day in 1975 through October of that year. So, Dave and Fred, you must be a year off in your estimate for closing the place, I'm positive. —98.210.25.154
2011-10-19 13:59:17 My name is Jeff McNiel and I went to a keger party at the chateau in 1979 when the 'Morozovich family had It ? . I was a twainer as we were called from Los Gatos (Mark Twain continuation school of higher education ) and I went to many party's on loma Prieata Sumit Rd. And all around the area to Hy 9 thank for the memories ................. —67.142.164.27
"2011-12-02-22:14:15" I spent many a weekend at the Chateau between October 1974 until its closure in summer 1975. Cold Blood with Lydia Pence and The Sons of Champlin were popular bands and there were many impromptu performances. I recall seeing members of the Doobie Brothers, Neil Young, Jerry Garcia and Friends, and others I cannot recollect. It was a fun place to spend the day and night. Concerts tickets were cheap and the food not bad. Single girls were always present and that was a big plus, and nobody paid attention to drug use (weed and LSD were available from the crowd if one did not bring their own). There were occasional bar fights (always taken outside) and generally the place was very laid back. Parking was always a problem!
2012-01-01 10:14:18 Saw Charlie Musslewhite there too. A lot. There was no place like it for music. Cold Blood. I liked it before the bikers the best. Too many bloody fights when they showed up. —70.231.229.97
2012-03-25 03:23:00 The Chateau is part of my family's story. After I started going there in the early 70's, my mother (a graduate of Los Gatos High) said she went there for dinner in the late 40's. I remember one time The Tubes played there before they were famous. It was quite a show — they wore costumes even then — and their van was still painted with their old band name The Beans. Another time, my brother, my sister and I took our dad there for one of their spaghetti feeds, and Dad even enjoyed the music. —71.193.176.241
2012-03-30 19:01:11 I WAS one of the summit road kids,i grew up at the chateau 68-73. what great place it was .charlie never let us though the front door but if we were in we were in.lol we used to drop in through the skylight and land on a picknik table to the left of the stage, right next to papa john. spent many night partying with whizzo ,shane ,Davy B. old paul ,don wilson and many others .i saw hot tuna in missoula last year and got to remind jourma and jack of the old days. any body remember Bo Diddly and lady Bo playing there. and a party at whizzos after. it was a great place to grow up. oh yea Indian ANdy and whitehorse were there to ,bill camas. the list goes on. . . the best place ever, Dave f —74.38.125.50
2012-03-30 19:48:19 I am seeking any photos or film from the Chateau. Please write [email protected] —68.4.57.11
2012-03-30 19:50:12 Sorry, it is for a documentary project. Anything at all on the Chateau would be appreciated. Posters, handbills, photos, film footage. Thanks! Barry. [email protected] —68.4.57.11
2012-05-01 07:28:01 Hi, I'm David Witherspoon. I visited the Chateau on a number of occasions in '72 - '73 time frame while I was in the Air Force. What a wonderful place it was! One of the earlier commenters mentioned the Beans (Tubes). I was there that evening and remember it well (at least I THINK I remember it well). When they did the 'Ballad of El Paso' and one of the band members shot Fee Waybill with a wax blood bullet when he sang, "I feel the bullet go deep in my chest." as the blood gushed forth - I thought to myself, "Now that's what I call entertainment!". Captain Whizzo, the best one-man light show on the planet, was there in top form, as always.
One slow night, Asleep at the Wheel played. I was an audience of one. I had a drink with them at set break. The set break kept going and going and we finished out the evening with me getting drunk with Asleep at the Wheel. I was the only customer and the only audience member.
Another evening, actually about my last visit to the Chateau, I was admiring the very nice Harley Davidsons belonging to the Hells Angels when I was suddenly surrounded by half a dozen very large, hairy gentlemen wearing the colors of their motorcycle club. The largest of them towered over me and said, "what the ***k do you thank you're doin'? I think you're a ****in' narc. I, dressed in my Air Force field jacket with really short hair and wearing military issue glasses, gathered up my courage and said, "If I was a narc, wouldn't I look more like you than like me?" , expecting to be pounded to jelly at any moment. The biggest guy paused and then laughed and said, "I guess you're right. Have a drink with us." I said, I was just about to leave...". He said, "I said HAVE A DRINK WITH US!" How could I refuse such a gracious invitation. A drink became 3 or 4 drinks. So that's the night I got drunk with the Hells Angels.
I have very fond memories of this magical place. —24.136.152.186
My friend lives there now. It still has the swimming pool with the Zig-Zag man tiled on the bottom of it.
2012-05-14 10:34:49 My name is Christy, I was seven or eight when my parents would take my siblings and I to the Chateau. We would swim in the pool, wonder the mountains, and swing on the tree swing behind "Charies" house. Those were the days!!!!! —76.14.122.28
2014-01-05 02:47 My name is Andy McCall. In the very early 70's, when I was only 6 or 7 (but already a veteran of the band & party scene) my folks Walt & Betty took me up the the Chateau to listen to some friends of theirs perform. The band was late, so I got to play out by the pool while mom & dad partied. The pool was nasty, filled with thick green algae, but also hundreds of newts/salamanders. That kept me entertained until the music started. It was the light show on the wall that really got my attention inside. A man sitting up on the front edge of the stage, behind an old overhead projector, was making the coolest lights and colors all over the audience and the wall behind them. I was standing just below the projector, staring up at the man, when the singer, a pretty lady with long dark hair called to me. She asked me if I liked the lights, and if I would like to try doing it. The man was OK with it and I said SURE! They lifted me up on stage and I got to sit on the lady's lap and do light show for her next song. It was just a couple glass dishes with oil and colored water between them, but I thought it was the coolest thing. Somehow, so did the crowd. They all cheered me on, and I got to do it for a 2nd song too. It was one of the best experiences of my young life. It turned out that the pretty singer lady was Grace Slick. I'll never forget that Lady, or the nasty green pool with all those salamanders.
My name is W.J. McKay. I keep hearing that the Chateau Liberte' in the Santa Cruz Mountains closed down in 1975. They must mean when the "nightclub" stopped featuring big name bands. I used to drive up there frequently to hang out with my friend Warren Mills from Boston with my old friend Len "LenCat" Callo. Warren lived there in one of the small cabins. His daughter Elaina was born there. The problem is I didn't get my driver's license until 1976 when I was 16 and it was some time after that I was up there. Maybe 1978 and 1979. There were still bands playing there and people drinking in the bar on weekends. The crowd was made up mostly of freaks and hippies and angels from Hell. I was interviewed by The Metro newspaper in San Jose about my Chateau Liberte' experiences. Here's the link http://www.metroactive.com/features/columns/silicon-alleys_20100728.html. I also have written blogs about those days at The Chateau Liberte'. Check out this one http://www.reverbnation.com/page_object/page_object_blogs/artist_838450?blog_id=625436. But I'm positive that there was still a vibrant scene there right up the the end of the 70's.
